Help me find a frugal substitute? Pottery Barn...

**ml2620** · 07-17-2011, 01:13 PM

We have a roll top desk with 1,000 cubbies that is just a catch all for every bit of paper and junk in the house. I'd like to get rid of it and find a clean and organized substitute (less surfaces for junk to collect).

I'm in love with the pottery barn system with all the matching pieces and hooks, shelves, calendars and pin boards - oh, and especially those bins for bills to be paid and items to be filed.

Does anyone have and good recommendations for a less expensive substitute - or some inspiring pictures of an organized desk at home?

Thank you!

Daily System - Espresso stain | Pottery Barn

**shoiji** · 07-17-2011, 02:25 PM

I use a small hutch as my computer desk. Have a filing cabinet to one side and the computer tower on the other side.

What you posted looks like something you can easily make. I have seen numerous demonstrations on how to make the pin cushion board. Try looking at yardsales and thrift stores to obtain the same items showing in the picture. A quick spray of the same color paint will make everything look as if they belong together.

**MaryCarney** · 07-17-2011, 04:56 PM

The Container Store has a lot of organizing stuff, and Ikea is much cheaper than Pottery Barn.
I spend a lot of time cruising their websites.

**227melissa** · 07-17-2011, 05:28 PM

you can find all kinds of baskets and items to organize with at the Thrift Store

**frugalwarrior2** · 07-17-2011, 06:01 PM

Put a shelf over the desk w/ colorful Dollar store baskets.
I have a desk,file cabinet, and loose leaf papers taped to the wall w/ various category sticky notes like DS-college,Vet,household,bills.
So I'm no help personally.
I go thru all mail immediately. Never keep charity statements or recipes anymore. That is this years new policy.

**mauimagic** · 07-17-2011, 06:02 PM

What works for me is if everything looks as it belongs together - remember that spray paint is your friend if you buy otherwise mismatched items!! Good Luck - and let us know what you create!!

**houstenh** · 07-18-2011, 01:18 PM

We had paperwork scattered throughout the house until I bought some plastic (cheap) stackable shelves. I currently have 5 shelves for receipts, coupons, bills, school work, and misc. If I need another category, I just buy another shelf to stack. I have a trash can next to the shelves and anything I want to keep long-term, I eventually put in my 2 drawer file cabinet.

**kzhen8** · 09-08-2011, 01:10 PM

Hmm, try looking around Ikea for these items. I see a lot of good things to sort items with. The quality can't be compared to Pottery Barn or Ethan Allen, but it does just the trick and looks good too!